72 Notable Alumni of the Tallinn University of Technology

Jüri Ratas

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1978-.. (age 46)
Occupations: international forum participantpolitician
Biography: Jüri Ratas is an Estonian politician who was the 18th prime minister of Estonia from 2016 to 2021. He was the Leader of the Centre Party from 2016 to 2023, and the mayor of Tallinn from 2005 to 2007. Ratas was a member of the Centre Party until switching to Isamaa in 2024.

Anne Veski

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1956-.. (age 68)
Occupations: singer
Biography: Anne Veski is an Estonian pop singer.

Katrin Siska

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1983-.. (age 41)
Occupations: singermodel
Biography: Katrin Siska is an Estonian celebrity, vlogger, and musician, where she is a former member of the Estonian girl group, Vanilla Ninja.

Taavi Veskimägi

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1974-.. (age 50)
Occupations: business executivepolitician
Biography: Taavi Veskimägi is a former Estonian state official and politician and the managing director of the Estonian electric power transmission system operator Elering.

Priit Kasesalu

Years: 1972-.. (age 52)
Occupations: software developercomputer scientistprogrammer
Biography: Priit Kasesalu is an Estonian programmer and software developer best known for his participation in the development of Kazaa, Skype and, most recently, Joost. He currently works for Ambient Sound Investments and lives in Tallinn, Estonia.

Tiit Sokk

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1964-.. (age 60)
Occupations: basketball coachbasketball player
Biography: Tiit Sokk is a retired Estonian professional basketball player and current coach. Often cited as one of the very best European point guards of his generation, he is widely recognized as the greatest Estonian basketball player in history. Elected to the Hall of fame of Estonian basketball in 2010.

Tiit Vähi

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1947-.. (age 77)
Occupations: businesspersonengineerpoliticianentrepreneur
Biography: Tiit Vähi is an Estonian politician who was Prime Minister of Estonia from 1995 to 1997. He was also acting Prime Minister for several months during 1992 under the transitional government.

Eiki Nestor

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1953-.. (age 71)
Occupations: politiciantrade unionist
Biography: Eiki Nestor is an Estonian politician, member of the Social Democratic Party. He was the leader of the party from 1994 to 1996. Nestor has been a member of the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Parliament of Estonia, being a Minister without Portfolio in charge of regional affairs from 1994 to 1995 and a Minister of Social Affairs from 1999 to 2002. He was elected Speaker of the Riigikogu in March 2014 and served until April 2019.

Margus Saar

Years: 1966-.. (age 58)
Occupations: journalist
Biography: Margus Saar is an Estonian television journalist and producer. He was felicitated with the Order of the White Star in 2016.

Enn Vetemaa

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1936-2017 (aged 81)
Occupations: science fiction writertranslatorwritercomposerlibrettist
Biography: Enn Vetemaa was an Estonian writer sometimes referred to as a "forgotten classic", as well as "the unofficial master of the Estonian Modernist short novel".

Erika Kirpu

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1992-.. (age 32)
Occupations: fencer
Biography: Erika Kirpu is an Estonian right-handed épée fencer.

Andres Anvelt

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1969-.. (age 55)
Occupations: politicianwriter
Biography: Andres Anvelt is an Estonian politician and writer. He belonged to Social Democratic Party until 2019.

Vladas Mikėnas

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1910-1992 (aged 82)
Occupations: chess playerjournalist
Biography: Vladas Mikėnas was a Lithuanian chess player and journalist. He was awarded the titles of International Master and Honorary Grandmaster by FIDE.

Irina Embrich

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1980-.. (age 44)
Occupations: fencer
Biography: Irina Embrich, née Zamkovaja is an Estonian left-handed épée fencer. Embrich is a two-time team European champion and 2017 team world champion. A two-time Olympian, Embrich is a 2021 team Olympic champion.

Arvo Valton

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1935-.. (age 89)
Occupations: poetwriterpoliticianscreenwriter
Biography: Arvo Vallikivi, commonly known under the pen name of Arvo Valton, is an Estonian writer known for a number of books and, among other things, the script for Viimne reliikvia, the highly successful movie adaptation of Eduard Bornhöhe's Vürst Gabriel ehk Pirita kloostri viimsed päevad.

Lagle Parek

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1941-.. (age 83)
Occupations: politiciancivil engineerdissident
Biography: Lagle Parek is an Estonian politician. She served as the Minister of the Interior in the first post-soviet government, led by the Prime Minister Mart Laar.

Aivar Pohlak

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1962-.. (age 62)
Occupations: association football playerbusinesspersonwriter
Biography: Aivar Pohlak is an Estonian football official, a former football player (striker), referee, and football coach. Since March 2007, he has been the President of the Estonian Football Association (EJL) after being its Vice President for four years.

Jaak Jõerüüt

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1947-.. (age 77)
Occupations: diplomatwriterpoliticianpoetjournalist
Biography: Jaak Jõerüüt is an Estonian writer and politician. He was the defense minister of Estonia from November 2004 to 10 October 2005.

Indrek Toome

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1943-2023 (aged 80)
Occupations: real estate developerpoliticianbusinessperson
Biography: Indrek Toome was a Soviet and Estonian communist politician and, after the restoration of Estonia's independence in 1991, an entrepreneur. In 1988–1990 he was the head of the Council of Ministers — informally the "prime minister" — in then Soviet-occupied Estonia.

Tarmo Kruusimäe

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1967-.. (age 57)
Occupations: politician
Biography: Tarmo Kruusimäe is an Estonian politician and musician. He has been member of XIII and XIV Riigikogu.

Signe Riisalo

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1968-.. (age 56)
Occupations: politician
Biography: Signe Riisalo is an Estonian politician. As of 26 January 2021, she serves as Minister of Social Protection in the cabinet of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. She is affiliated with the Reform Party.

Taavi Kotka

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1979-.. (age 45)
Enrolled in the Tallinn University of Technology: Studied in 2003-2004
Occupations: international forum participantbusinessperson
Biography: Taavi Kotka is an IT visionary and previously the chief information officer of the Estonian Government known for leading e-residency program. Between years 2005-2012, Kotka was the CEO of Nortal (then named Webmedia), one of the largest software development companies in the Baltic states. Taavi Kotka (alongside Ruth Annus, and Siim Sikkut) proposed "10 million e-residents by 2025" on idea contest by Estonian Development Fund in 2014.

Sven Sester

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1969-.. (age 55)
Occupations: economistpolitician
Biography: Sven Sester is an Estonian politician and former Minister of Finance.

Aivar Riisalu

Years: 1961-.. (age 63)
Occupations: singerpoliticianentrepreneur
Biography: Aivar Riisalu is an Estonian singer, businessman and politician. He has been member of XI and XII Riigikogu.

Endel Lippmaa

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1930-2015 (aged 85)
Occupations: physicistpoliticianuniversity teacherchemist
Biography: Endel Lippmaa was an Estonian scientist, academician, politician, and twice government minister in 1990–1991 and 1995–1996.

Siim-Valmar Kiisler

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1965-.. (age 59)
Occupations: politicianengineer
Biography: Siim Valmar Kiisler is an Estonian politician, a member of the Parempoolsed, former member of Isamaa (Pro Patria and Res Publica Union).

Ülo Nugis

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1944-2011 (aged 67)
Occupations: politicianengineerbusiness executive
Biography: Ülo Nugis was an Estonian politician and economist. As Speaker of the Supreme Council of Estonia on 20 August 1991, he presided over the Supreme Council's historic session when it voted for the restoration of Estonia's national independence from the Soviet Union.

Tõnis Palts

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1953-.. (age 71)
Occupations: politicianbusinessperson
Biography: Tõnis Palts is an Estonian politician and former mayor of Tallinn and Minister of Finance.

Tiit Made

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1940-.. (age 84)
Occupations: journalistpoliticianeconomist
Biography: Tiit Made is an Estonian economist, writer, journalist, publicist, and politician. He was a member of the VII and VIII Riigikogu.

Olga Ivanova

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1984-.. (age 40)
Occupations: politician
Biography: Olga Ivanova is an Estonian politician, and a member of the Estonian Centre Party. She was chosen to the Estonian Parliament in the 2015 election with 1,948 personal votes. Ivanova has worked as Lasnamäe district elder since 2011.

Raivo Aeg

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1962-.. (age 62)
Occupations: politician
Biography: Raivo Aeg is an Estonian politician and police officer. He is member of the XIV Riigikogu. Since 2014 he has belonged to the Isamaa party.

Mart Nutt

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1962-2019 (aged 57)
Enrolled in the Tallinn University of Technology: Studied in 2011
Occupations: politicianhistorian
Biography: Mart Nutt was an Estonian politician and historian, member of the XIV Riigikogu since he was elected in the 2019 Estonian parliamentary election.

Arto Aas

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1980-.. (age 44)
Occupations: politician
Biography: Arto Aas is an Estonian politician who was the Minister of Public Administration from 2015 to 2016.

Sven Jürgenson

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1962-.. (age 62)
Occupations: politiciandiplomat
Biography: Sven Jürgenson is an Estonian diplomat. He served as the Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York of Estonia from 1998 to 2000 and once again from 2015 to 2022. In 2016, he was also the President of the UNICEF Executive Board at the international level. He served as Ambassador to the United States from 2000 to 2003 and as Ambassador to France from 2010 to 2015.

Mihhail Korb

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1980-.. (age 44)
Occupations: politician
Biography: Mihhail Korb is Estonian politician. He is member of XIV Riigikogu. Since 2002 he belongs to Estonian Centre Party.

Kirill Teiter

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1952-2022 (aged 70)
Enrolled in the Tallinn University of Technology: Studied in 1975
Occupations: journalisthumoristpolitician
Biography: Kirill Teiter was an Estonian politician and humorist, as well as the king of the Kingdom of Torgu. Teiter was born in Tallinn on 25 August 1952. He was a member of VII Riigikogu. Teiter died on 20 May 2022, aged 69.

Margus Leivo

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1954-2019 (aged 65)
Occupations: politician
Biography: Margus Leivo was an Estonian politician. He was a member of X Riigikogu. He was the Estonian Minister of the Interior from 2003-2005.

Heimar Lenk

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1946-.. (age 78)
Occupations: politicianjournalist
Biography: Heimar Lenk is an Estonian journalist and politician. He has supported the Estonian Centre Party since 1994.

Linnar Viik

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1965-.. (age 59)
Occupations: computer scientist
Biography: Linnar Viik is an Estonian information technology scientist, entrepreneur and IT visionary.

Arvo Sarapuu

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1953-2020 (aged 67)
Occupations: politician
Biography: Arvo Sarapuu was an Estonian businessman, politician, and member of the Estonian Centre Party. Sarapuu served as the first post-independence County Governor of Järva County from 1989 until 1997. He then served as the Deputy Mayor of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, from April 2011 until his resignation on May 26, 2017, due to allegations of corruption.

Aivar Kokk

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1960-.. (age 64)
Occupations: politician
Biography: Aivar Kokk is an Estonian politician. He has been member of the XII, XIII and XIV Riigikogu.

Toomas Luman

Years: 1959-.. (age 65)
Occupations: businessperson
Biography: Toomas Luman is an Estonian entrepreneur.

Riivo Sinijärv

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1947-.. (age 77)
Occupations: diplomatpoliticianengineer
Biography: Riivo Sinijärv is an Estonian politician and a former Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Igor Volke

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1950-.. (age 74)
Occupations: ufologist
Biography: Igor Volke is an Estonian ufologist and researcher of environmental anomalies.

Mari Saat

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1947-.. (age 77)
Occupations: economistwriter
Biography: Mari Saat is an Estonian writer.

Kersti Sarapuu

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1954-.. (age 70)
Occupations: politician
Biography: Kersti Sarapuu is an Estonian politician. She has been a member of the XIII and XIV Riigikogu.

Erkki Keldo

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1990-.. (age 34)
Occupations: politician
Biography: Erkki Keldo is an Estonian politician. He has been member of XIV Riigikogu and XV Riigikogu.

Karl Rebane

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1926-2007 (aged 81)
Occupations: politicianphysicist
Biography: Karl Rebane was a Soviet and Estonian physicist.

Lea Danilson-Järg

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1977-.. (age 47)
Occupations: politiciancivil servant
Biography: Lea Danilson-Järg is an Estonian politician. She served as Minister of Justice in the second cabinet of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.

Joel Luhamets

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1952-.. (age 72)
Occupations: clergyman
Biography: Joel Luhamets is an Estonian Lutheran prelate who is the current bishop of the Southern Region whose seat is in Tartu, Estonia.

Mati Vaarmann

Years: 1951-.. (age 73)
Occupations: diplomat
Biography: Mati Vaarmann is an Estonian diplomat.

Jaanus Tamkivi

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1959-.. (age 65)
Occupations: politician
Biography: Jaanus Tamkivi is an Estonian politician of the Estonian Reform Party. He was Mayor of Kuressaare from 1996 to 2005, a member of the Riigikogu from 2005 to 2015, and the Minister of the Environment from 2007 to 2011. Currently he is the chairman of Saaremaa Municipality Council.

Matti Päts

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1933-.. (age 91)
Occupations: electrical engineerpoliticiancivil servant
Biography: Matti Päts is an Estonian politician. He was a member of VII Riigikogu. Born to politician Viktor Päts, he is a grandson of Estonian statesman Konstantin Päts and writer Jaan Lattik

Rein Otsason

Years: 1931-2004 (aged 73)
Occupations: politicianbusinesspersoneconomist
Biography: Rein Otsason was an Estonian banker.

Valve Kirsipuu

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1933-2017 (aged 84)
Enrolled in the Tallinn University of Technology: Studied in 1958
Occupations: economistpolitician
Biography: Valve Kirsipuu was an Estonian economist and politician. She was a member of the VII, VIII and IX Riigikogu.

Enn Tõugu

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1935-2020 (aged 85)
Occupations: mathematiciancomputer scientist
Biography: Enn Tõugu was an Estonian computer scientist and mathematician. He dealt with system programming, declarative languages and topics related to artificial intelligence.

Toivo Jürgenson

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1957-.. (age 67)
Occupations: politicianbusinesspersonengineer
Biography: Toivo Jürgenson is an Estonian engineer, entrepreneur and politician. He was a member of the VII, VIII and IX Riigikogu, representing the Pro Patria Union party.

Feliks Undusk

Years: 1948-.. (age 76)
Occupations: journalist
Biography: Feliks Undusk is an Estonian journalist and politician. He was a member of VIII Riigikogu.

Kalev Kallemets

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1979-.. (age 45)
Occupations: economistpolitician
Biography: Kalev Kallemets is an Estonian politician. He was a member of the Riigikogu, representing the Estonian Reform Party, from 2014 to 2015.

Remo Holsmer

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1980-.. (age 44)
Occupations: politician
Biography: Remo Holsmer is an Estonian former basketball player and politician who represented the Estonian Reform Party in the Riigikogu from 2011 to 2018. He was a player for BC Kalev, and later, was the manager of the team from 2005 to 2009.

Andres Keevallik

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1943-.. (age 81)
Occupations: engineer
Biography: Andres Keevallik is an Estonian scientist in mechanics.

Olav Aarna

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1942-.. (age 82)
Occupations: politiciancomputer scientist
Biography: Olav Aarna is an Estonian computer scientist, academic and politician. He was a member of X Riigikogu. Aarna was the rector of Tallinn University of Technology from 1991 until 2000, and the rector of the Estonian Business School from 2000 until 2003.

Väino Reinart

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1962-.. (age 62)
Occupations: diplomat
Biography: Väino Reinart is an Estonian diplomat.

Ahto Buldas

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1967-.. (age 57)
Enrolled in the Tallinn University of Technology: In 1993 graduated with Master of Science; In 1999 graduated with Doctor of Philosophy
Occupations: computer scientistcryptographermathematician
Biography: Ahto Buldas is an Estonian computer scientist. He is the inventor of Keyless Signature Infrastructure, Co-Founder and Chief Scientist at Guardtime and Chair of the OpenKSI foundation.

Ivar Kallion

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1931-2013 (aged 82)
Occupations: politician
Biography: Ivar Kallion was an Estonian Communist politician and author who was the chairman of the Executive Committee of Tallinn from June 1971 to July 1979.

Mati Meos

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1946-.. (age 78)
Occupations: politician
Biography: Mati Meos, born 5 October 1946 (age 77) in Jõgeva, is an Estonian politician and engineer. He was a member of VIII Riigikogu, and a director and founder of the Estonian Aviation Museum.

Andres Unga

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1966-.. (age 58)
Occupations: diplomat
Biography: Andres Unga is an Estonian diplomat.

Enno Lend

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1957-.. (age 67)
Occupations: economist
Biography: Enno Lend is an Estonian economist and rector of Tallinn University of Technology.

Kai Rimmel

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1952-.. (age 72)
Occupations: politician
Biography: Kai Rimmel is an Estonian politician. She has been a member of the XIV Riigikogu.

Kalev Kotkas

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1960-.. (age 64)
Occupations: rural municipality mayorpolitician
Biography: Kalev Kotkas is an Estonian politician. He has been member of IX, XI, XII and XIII Riigikogu.

Jaan Priisalu

Years: 1967-.. (age 57)
Occupations: researcher
Biography: Jaan Priisalu is an Estonian cyber security official.

Tiit Kaljundi

Born in: Estonia
Years: 1946-2008 (aged 62)
Occupations: architect
Biography: Tiit Kaljundi was an Estonian architect and a member of the Tallinn School. He became well known in the later part of the 1970s as a part of a new movement of Estonian architects that was led by Leonhard Lapin and Vilen Künnapu. The majority of the architects in this movement were graduates from the State Art Institute in the early 1970s. This group included Kaljundi, Avo-Himm Looveer, Ain Padrik, Jüri Okas, and Ignar Fjuk, as well as Veljo Kaasik and Toomas Rein from an older generation of architects. After the 1983 exhibition in the Tallinn Art Salon, they became known as the “Tallinn Ten" or the "Tallinn School," a broader term to describe the group used by the Finnish architect Markku Komonen.